Air Fryer chicken thighs with crispy skin are the perfect easy lunch or dinner! These bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs are delicious and can be customized with different spices and herbs.
Crispy chicken thighs are just the best. When the skin gets perfectly crisped, but the inside is so juicy.
My mouth is watering just thinking about it.
And I've found that I get amazing results when I cook chicken thighs in the air fryer. The skin does just crisp up perfectly. I make these at least once a week, and this is my go-to recipe.
Sometimes I will mix it up with different seasonings and spices, depending what I'm in the mood for and what else I'm serving with the chicken thighs. (Ideas below!)
Ingredients
- Chicken thighs - bone-in, skin-on
- Olive oil
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Salt
- Dried herbs - oregano, thyme, Italian seasoning, tarragon, etc.
Variations
The recipe here makes a chicken thigh with a delicious crispy skin. However, you can add more seasonings and spices to customize it! Here's a few ideas.
Air fryer Paprika Chicken Thighs - This uses paprika to create a flavorful and crispy chicken thigh.
Air Fryer Chili Lime Chicken Thighs - This uses chili powder and fresh lime juice.
Air Fryer Greek Chicken Thighs - This has you marinade the chicken thighs in a lemon and oregano mixture before cooking.
You can also add smoked paprika, regular paprika, harissa, etc. to the mixture to add more flavors based on what you enjoy. Dried herbs like Italian seasoning, oregano, herbs de provence, dried parsley, are delicious!
What to serve with the crispy chicken thighs
The wonderful thing about the crispy chicken thighs is that they pair well with so many dishes! If making something in the air fryer, I love these air fryer Mediterranean vegetables, air fryer broccolini, air fryer lemon potatoes, air fryer baby potatoes, air fryer sweet potato wedges, or air fryer garlic zucchini.
If making something not in the air fryer, I love bang bang potatoes, melting sweet potatoes, sumac potatoes, or roasted harissa carrots.
What temperature to cook chicken thighs to
Chicken is safe to eat when cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. However, chicken thighs can be cooked to a higher temperature, and it does help the texture if they are cooked to a temperature of 175 degrees F.
This is because the higher temperature allows more of the connective tissue to break down, allowing for a juicier and more tender texture.
Recipe notes
- Cooking time will depend on the size of your chicken thighs. Use a meat thermometer to make sure chicken thighs are cooked to at least 165 degrees F (but ideally at least 175 degrees F).
- All air fryers cook differently. Cooking time may depend on your specific model of air fryer.
How to make air fryer chicken thighs with crispy skin
In a large bowl, add the olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and dried herbs.
Stir until combined.
Dry chicken thighs with paper towels (this helps remove any extra moisture, which helps the thighs crisp up more!)
Trim any extra skin from the chicken thighs then place in the bowl. Toss and rub the oil and seasonings into all surfaces of the chicken thighs.
Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes, then add the chicken thighs, skin side down.
Cook for 10 minutes at 400 degrees F, then flip and cook another 10-15 minutes.
Plate and enjoy!
Other air fryer chicken recipes
- Air Fryer Panko Chicken
- Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken
- Air Fryer Honey Dijon Chicken Breast
- Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Pizza
- Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas
- Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Thighs
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Bone In Air Fryer Chicken Thighs with Crispy Skin
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 chicken thighs
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon dried herbs such as tarragon, thyme, herbs de provence, or oregano.
Instructions
- In a large bowl, add olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and dried herbs. Stir to combine.
- Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Trim any excess fat. Add the chicken thighs to the bowl of oil and spices. Toss to combine, rubbing oil mixture into all surfaces of the chicken thighs.
- Preheat air fryer for 5 minutes at 400 degrees F. After preheating, add chicken thighs to the air fryer basket, skin side down.
- Cook for 10 minutes at 400 degrees F. Flip each chicken thigh, then cook for another 10-15 minutes until chicken thighs are cooked through (at least 165 degrees internal temperature, but ideally higher than 175 degrees F).
Notes
- Cooking time will depend on the size of your chicken thighs. Use a meat thermometer to make sure chicken thighs are cooked to at least 165 degrees F (but ideally at least 175 degrees F).
- All air fryers cook differently. Cooking time may depend on your specific model of air fryer.
Nutrition
If nutrition info is shown, values are based on an online calculator and are estimates. Please verify using your own data.
Brenda-Lee
It sounds really good... but It says 'dried herbs'... What herbs and amounts do YOU use for thus recipe???
Aimee
Great question! I used dried tarragon when I took these photos, but I've used the same amount of dried thyme, dried oregano, or herbs de provence, and all have been delicious!